My main research interests are in volcano seismology and marine hydroacoustics. Here in Alaska my research has focused on seismic and acoustic data collected at Shishaldin volcano. I have used the acoustic data to investigate the mechanics of the 1999 eruption and am currently investigating unsual hybrid earthquakes that took place on Shishaldin in 2002. My Ph.D. research at the University of Hawai`i focused on the seismicity of Lo`ihi submarine volcano as well as hydroacoustic data collected by the Hawai`i Undersea Geo-Observatory (HUGO). Among the signals recorded by HUGO are the first hydroacoustic recordings of confirmed submarine landslides, signals which could prove useful for tsunami monitoring. 

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Dr. Pavel Izbekov, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Alaska Volcano Observatory; Ph.D., 2002 University of Alaska Fairbanks. Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 903, Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7320. Phone: (907) 474-5269, Email: pavel "at" gi.alaska.edu [Home Page]

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Dr. Doug Christensen, Professor of Geophysics. Ph.D. 1987 University of Michigan: Observational and Theoretical Seismology. Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, PO Box 757320, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7320, 907-474-7426. Email: doug "at" giseis.alaska.edu [Home Page]

Dr. Christensen's primary interests are in the field of earthquake seismology and earth structure problems using seismological methods.

Research activities include detailed studies of earthquake sources and rupture processes of large earthquakes using a variety of inversion methods and waveform modelling techniques. Recent research has been centered on large earthquakes in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, including the 1965 Rat Islands, the 1964 Prince William Sound, and the 1986 Andreanof Islands earthquakes. These studies are aimed toward understanding the nature of interplate coupling, asperity distribution, and the dynamics of the rupture process.

Research interests include general seismicity studies with emphasis on the spatial and temporal variations of intraplate seismicity and their relationships to subduction zone dynamics. Research which focuses on stress variations over short time periods and possible relationship to larger tectonic stresses are currently underway. Stress variations which are related to the major plate interactions often have far reaching effects which can be observed in seismicity patterns and stress orientations in the surrounding region. Similarly, stress variations which can be observed in intraplate settings may often indicate the stress state of the major boundary.

Dr. Christensen is also involved with earth structure studies in various regions of Alaska. These studies use both local and teleseismic data to determine physical properties of the crust and upper mantle.

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Dr. Mary Keskinen, Associate Professor of metamorphic petrology, petrology and geochemistry of geothermal/fumarolic systems; Ph.D. 1979, Stanford University. University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Geology and Geophysics, 900 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775. Telephone: (907)474-7769. Email: ffmjk "at" uaf.edu

Dr. Keskinen's current research interests include petrologic studies of metamorphic rock suites in Alaska and California aimed towards P-T-time evolution of the Fairbanks mining district, Wrangellia in southeast Alaska and Canada, determination of P-T regime and style of metamorphism indicative of tectonic processes along "terrane" margins, evaluation and interpretation of hydrothermal processes in active and fossil geothermal and volcanic systems, geologic characterization of hydrothermal processes in poly-metamorphosed roof pendant rocks, textural and mineralogical development of metapyroclastic rocks, and low-grade metamorphism of Mn-rich rocks. 

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Dr. Paul Layer, Professor of Geology, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology, and thermochronology; Ph.D. 1986, Stanford University: Geochronology, Tectonics, Paleomagnetism. Department of Geology and Geophysics Chair, 1994 - 2003. Telephone: (907) 474-5514. Email: player "at" gi.alaska.edu, [Home Page]

Dr. Layer is head of the Geochronology Laboratory. His research focuses on use of the 40-argon/39-argon dating technique to investigate geological and geophysical problems in Alaska and elsewhere. Applications include determining the age of plutonism and tectonic events, dating of volcanoes in Alaska, and constraining the time of formation of mineral deposits. Dr. Layer is involved in international collaborative projects with scientists from Russia, Germany, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and South Africa. Dr. Layer teaches courses on general and advanced geochronologic techniques and on the use of statistical methods in the geosciences. This powerful dating technique is being applied to a variety of topics at the Geochronology Laboratory at UAF. These research projects include:

1. The thermal history and evolution of Archean cratons such as the Kaapvaal Craton in southern Africa and the Superior Craton in Canada. 
2. The dating of metamorphism and terrane accretion in Alaska and the eastern USSR. 
3. Constraining the timing of emplacement of mineralization in ore deposits in Alaska and elsewhere.
4. Tephrochronology and volcanostratigraphy. 
5. Studies of the thermal and metamorphic history of the Brooks Range. 
6. Paleomagnetism of Archean terranes and Precambrian plate tectonics. 

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Game McGimsey, Geologist; mapping and interpretation of Quaternary and recent eruptive products at active Alaskan volcanoes; hazards assessment; eruption crisis response including observation and documentation of volcanic activity, dissemination of information to Federal, State, and local authorities as well as the media, scientific community, and the general public. Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508-4667, Phone: (907) 786-7432, FAX (907) 786-7450, Email: mcgimsey "at" usgs.gov

Game's research topics include: post-caldera eruptive activity at Aniakchak caldera, catastrophic draining of the intracaldera lake at Aniakchak, experimental photogrammetric measurement of deformation at Augustine volcano, the incorporation of 1989-90 Redoubt tephra into the geologic record, establishment of benchmark photographic stations and the use of repeat photography to document geomorphic changes caused by eruptive activity.

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Christina (Tina) Neal has been a geologist at the USGS-Anchorage facility of AVO since 1990. Shared operational duties include volcano monitoring, eruption response and tracking, communication of hazard information to the public and other government agencies, outreach and public education. From 1998-2000, Tina was temporarily based in Washington DC as the geoscience advisor to the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (U.S. Agency for International Development). Current research interests include: determining eruptive histories and hazards at selected Alaskan volcanoes, tsunami generation associated with caldera forming eruptions, and the use of pyroclastic microtextures to infer eruptive processes.

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Dr. Rainer Newberry

Dr. Newberry is interested in the genesis and characterization of all ore deposit types, but is especially involved in work with skarn, PGE, greisen, and "metamorphic" vein deposits. Most recently he has studied and published work concerning intrusion-hosted gold deposits. For the last decade he has worked with the Alaska Geological Survey creating 1:63,360 geologic maps in Interior Alaska based on intensive field work and airborne geophysical surveys. He is a senior author for 13 1:63,360 maps covering 6 different 1:250,000 quadrangles of Interior Alaska.

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Dr. John Power, Volcano Seismologist, Alaska Volcano Observatory, U.S. Geological Survey, 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508, jpower "at" usgs.gov. 

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Dr. Anupma Prakash, Associate Professor, Remote sensing, geophysics; Ph.D. 1996, University of Roorkee, India: Remote Sensing, Environmental Geology, High Temperature Events (HTE), Coal Fires. Temperature (907) 474-1897, Email: prakash "at" gi.alaska.edu  [Home Page]

Dr. Prakash is a geologist and a remote sensing expert. For the last 10 years the primary focus of her research work has been in using remote sensing and GIS techniques to detect, map, monitor, quantize, model and investigate surface and underground coal fires in coal mining areas and to study the related environmental problems using multisensor, multitemporal satellite and airborne data.
Other research interests include: · High Temperature Event (HTE) investigation, viz. volcano eruptions, forest fires, thermal springs, coal fires, urban heating etc, using remote sensing techniques. · Investigating new sensor technologies for the Thermal Infrared region. · Geoenvironmental studies using environmental indicators and impact assessment models in a variety of environments. · Mutisensor (optical, thermal, microwave) image and data fusion for geologic and geoenvironmental applications. · Disseminating remote sensing knowledge to remote communities by developing multimedia and distance learning tools.

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Dr. Dave Schneider, Volcano remote sensing, USGS-Alaska Volcano Observatory. B.S., Geology from Cornell College and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Michigan Tech University. AVO 4200 University Drive, Anchorage, AK 99508. Telephone: (907) 786-7037. Email: djschneider "at" usgs.gov

Dave has been working at AVO since 1997 and his research involves satellite-based detection and measurement of volcanic eruption clouds, and applications of remote sensing in volcano monitoring.

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Dr. Ken Severin

Dr. Severin is in charge of the department's electron microprobe and XRF. Research interests focus on the interpretation of elemental patterns in incrementally grown biologic structures (mainly from fish) with the goal of reconstructing paleoenvironment and paleobiology. In addition to using "traditional" point analyses, Dr. Severin is exploring the use of digital X-ray mapping for understanding the distributions of trace and minor element in organic and inorganic materials.

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Dr. Virgil "Buck" Sharpton

Planetary Studies:

Morphological characteristics of small craters on Mars. Here I use photoclinometry to determine the cross sectional shape of small craters on a variety of martian terrains. The objective is to determine if fresh crater shape is influenced by the physical properties of the martian surface and, if so, to use morphological variations to help identify target properties. The data set used is the high-resolution Mars Orbiter camera images taken by the Mars Global Surveyor.

Morphological studies of Venusian Impact Craters. In terms of basic planetary properties thought to affect crater morphology, Venus and Earth are very similar. Unlike the Earth, however, Venus has retained a fairly complete record of the asteroid and comet collisions occurring of the past half billion years. I use stereo radargrammetry to construct digital elevation models of venusian crater in order to determine what fresh craters on Earth would look like. This fresh shape provides an important bench mark against which the eroded landforms on Earth can be evaluated.

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